Holding on to key three in summer so crucial for Reds’ future planning
FOREST MAY FACE FIGHT TO KEEP TRIO AT CITY GROUND
SOME key decisions will be made in the coming weeks which will shape Nottingham Forest’s squad for next season.
After a pretty miserable campaign, the Reds will be aiming to get back to challenging for the top six in 202122.
Their transfer business has come under scrutiny in recent windows, with the deals done not reaping the rewards Forest had hoped.
The pressure will be on to get it right this time.
But as much as the emphasis will be on bringing in players who can make a difference, boss Chris Hughton must also make a judgement call on who stays and who goes among the current squad.
And there are some players who could prove harder to hang on to than others.
We have taken a look at three who the Reds might have to fight to keep come the summer.
JOE WORRALL
It would probably come as no surprise to anyone if speculation resurfaces about the defender when the window opens.
Burnley, in particular, have had their eye on him for a long time, and Worrall has been Forest’s best player during a tough few months. That is bound to put him in the spotlight.
The boyhood Reds fan has always been very clear when talking about transfer rumours and how he remains committed to the club. He has said more than once he would love to captain the team on a permanent basis in the future and lead the club into the Premier League.
Forest certainly need a player of his quality and with his attitude if they are to one day secure promotion.
But they may well see their resolve tested in the off-season.
Worrall is tied to a long-term deal, until 2024, but there could be nervous times ahead for fans hoping the Reds hang on to him.
JAMES GARNER
With every impressive performance the Manchester United loanee puts in, the harder it becomes for Forest to get him back.
The 20-year-old has made a big impact in a short space of time since making the switch in January.
It beggars belief how Watford were prepared to let him go after his first half of the season at Vicarage Road.
Hughton has remained very guarded on whether there could be the potential to re-sign the midfielder for 2021-22, giving very little away out of respect for his parent club.
But inside he would doubtless be as keen as anyone for Garner to return.
The issue is, the Reds are unlikely to be the only ones interested.
The youngster’s form will have put others on high alert and potentially some in the top-flight.
Although United think very highly of Hughton and the work he is doing at the City Ground, competing with a side who could offer Garner Premier League football on loan would be tough.
Forest just have to hope the fact the player seems to be enjoying himself and knows he would get regular game time – as well as that relationship with Hughton – will count for something.
YURI RIBEIRO
There has been speculation about the defender, with reports linking him with a move back to Portugal as his contract comes to an end. Hughton has been coy when discussing players whose futures will be up in the air this summer, but it is getting to the time where minds will soon be mind up – although chances are decisions will not be made public until the campaign is over. Ribeiro has been in and out of the team this year. The manager has regularly rotated who plays at left-back. That may well be something which comes into the 24-yearold’s thinking when weighing up his options. When quizzed about rumours surrounding Ribeiro’s future, amid his recent absence from the match-day squad against Reading, Hughton took the time to explain his options for that position. Ribeiro not being selected, he said, was just a choice, with Gaetan Bong and Tyler Blackett also capable of playing there. Reading between the lines, that could be telling when it comes to the chances of Ribeiro staying. Given Nicholas Ioannou will come back from a loan stint at Aris Thessaloniki, Forest do have options there.
But if they do want to keep Ribeiro, it will not necessarily be easy.